Offset blade carpet and linoleum knife



June 24, 1969 R. H. MULKlNS 3,451,132

OFFSETBLADE CARPET AND LINOLEUM KNIFE Filed May 26, 1967 Sheet 01'2 INVENTOR Roy MulKi n5 ATTORNEYS.

June 24, 1969 R. H. MULKINS OFFSET BLADE CARPET AND LINOLEUM KNIFE Sheet Filed y 26, 1967 I INVENTOR 94 Roy Mu (Ins BY nnufl FIG. 8

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,451,132 OFFSET BLADE CARPET AND LINOLEUM KNIFE Roy H. Mulkins, 418 Hawthorne St., Kelso, Wash. 98626 Filed May 26, 1967, Ser. No. 641,529 Int. Cl. B26b 5/00, 9/02, 3/08 US. Cl. 30-317 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carpet and linoleum knife which includes a handle having two grip portions one of which is rotatable relative BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to cutlery and more particularly to utility knives of the type commonly described by the term linoleum knives. This invention relates also to combination cutlery tools.

Description of the prior art Linoleum knives of the type which include a handle with the blade attached thereto, said blade having a long curved cutting edge which comes to a point for cutting linoleum, tile, etc., are well known. It is also known to produce knives having the blade offset from the handle his left hand because of the position of the object around or against which the floor covering is to be laid. Similarly, a lefthanded person may desire to use his right hand in similar circumstances.

In many cases, cabinets or other built-in furniture with a toe space or an inset is installed over old floor covering. The old floor covering must be removed before a new floor covering can be installed. In this application, the offset blade knife is extremely convenient in use since the offset blade can cut the old flooring closely and neatly adjacent the furniture with the knife being held at the 'proper angle without interference with the artisans hand on the handle or getting his knuckles scratched or bruised.

' ward force. This results not only in easier and simpler slightly for scraping, etc. It has not been known hereto- I space for manipulating the knife was limited. Such spaces include the corners under cabinets, in the toe space under cabinets, under the old style steam or hot water radiators,

and in numerous other places. In addition, considerabledifiiculty has been experienced in making a clean cut around pipes. This latter difficulty results from. the inability of the artisan to hold the knife vertically with respect to the floor and to make a clean cut. It is necessary for the. artisan to slant the knife during the cutting operation which tends to leave a groove or crevice around the pipe due the eXCeSSiVe material Cut out in the P layers of and that the knife of this invention may conveniently be the linoleum or floor covering.

Some persons conventionally work righthanded while others conventionally work lefthanded. Where the blade of the linoleum knife extends directly from the handle little additional difficulty is experienced by the l'efthanded operator. Where, however, the blade is offset it makes a very significant difference whether the personiis righthanded or lefthanded. Thus, one of the objects of this. in-:

vention is to provide a knife which has an olfset linoleum blade which may be adjusted for utilization'either by a righthanded person or a le'fthanded person. In addition to the difficulties which are experienced by personswho are conventionally lefthanded, it is sometimes necessary or highly convenient for a person who is righthanded to use operation but in a neater and more convenient job. Heretofore, it has not been possible to obtain this new result.

Similar difficulties are experienced in certain other situations. In one such situation, the knife described herein has been found to be particularly effective and useful. Often it is desirable to lay carpet adjacent a wall which is made of brick or stone or some other rough material. This sometimes happens where wall-to-wall carpeting is laid against a wall which is made of a decorative stone or a decorative brick on the interior as a part of an over-all plan of interior decoration. In such cases, it is essential that the carpet fit snugly against the wall but this is difficult to achieve since the wall is rough and, in addition to the difiiculty of cutting along the wall, considerable difficulty is experienced by the carpet installer in cutting along the wall without skinning or bruising his knuckles. Where the wall is made of a smooth material such as a plaster some difficulty is experienced but where the wall is made of rough stone or brick the installer invariably ends up with skinned and bruised knuckles. In addition to the pain resulting, discoloration of the wall or of. the carpet some times results. The present invention obviates these problems without sacrifice of speed or effectiveness. Indeed, cuts can be made along irregular surfaces such as a brick wall or a stone wall more easily with the present invention than with the knives of the prior art. Importantly also is the fact that such cuts can be made using the present invention more quickly and with greater facility than with the use of knives wherein the blade extends directly from the handle as shown in the prior art. Conventionally, the straight utility blade may be used for cutting the linoleum; however, the curved utility blade or the linoleum portion maybe used if it is desirable. It is this flexibility in use which comprises an important facet of the present invention.

While the" disclosure herein is directed primarily to the utilization of a knife for the laying of linoleum and other floor covering it will be understood that this is merely exemplary of the type of utilization of such instruments used by paperhangers, roofers, woodworkers, and others.

Multiple blade knives are known in the prior art. However, the artisan is most concerned with the linoleum type knife and the utility type knife. Heretofore, it has been necessary for the artisan to have two such knives, that is,

a linoleum knife and a utility knife separately. While scabbards and special pockets and carrying devices have been provided, it has generally not been satisfactory for I the artisan to carry around both types of knives because of the excessive weight and the necessity for carrying a multiplicity of other tools. Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a combination utility and linoleum knife.

SUMMARY It is an object of this invention to provide a linoleum knife having a handle, an offset portion, and means for securing a curved edge linoleum knife blade to the offset portion.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an offset knife which includes a handle, an offset portion, and means for securing a utility blade to the offset portion.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an offset knife including a handle, an offset portion, and means for securing both a utility blade and a linoleum cutting blade to the offset portion.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an offset utility knife including means for protectively shielding the cutting blade.

The specific construction, elements and combinational features of this invention also constitute important objects thereof. Among such constructional features which are important objects of this invention are the construction of the handle including the means thereon for engaging and securing the handle to the offset portion, the novel and highly utilitarian construction of the offset member, the particular construction of the means for mounting the utility blade on the offset member, and the means for mounting the linoleum knifeto the offset member.

Other objects will be apparent from the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the offset knife of this invention showing the combination and the elements thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a cross section taken substantially along lines 22 in the direction of the arrows as shown in FIGURE 1 illustrating the interior construction of the handle.

- FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 33 in the direction of the arrows as shown in FIGURE 1 illustrating the constructional features of the means for securing the linoleum blade to the offset member.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing the means for securing the utility blade to the offset member, showing the utility blade exposed for use.

FIGURE 5 is a. cross-sectional view looking downwardly as shown in FIGURE 5 taken substantially along lines 55 showing the interior construction of the means for mounting the utility blade to the offset member and a portion of the means for mounting the linoleum knife thereto.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 6-6 looking in the direction of the arrows showing another view of the means for mounting the utility blade to the offset portion.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direcsecure the bolt in the second grip portion. The bolt 18 is rotatably received in passage 20 in the first grip portion. In order to secure the handle 10 to the offset member 12, a pair of pins 28 and 30 are received in the end of the first grip portion 16. I

The offset member 32 comprises a generally planar elongate member which has provided therein at one end, as best shown in FIGURE 2, a threaded aperture 34 for threadably receiving the threaded end of bolt 24 and a pair of apertures 36 and 38 for receiving the pins 28 and 30. Pins 28 and 30 prevent rotational movement of the handle with respect to the offset member 32. The arrangement shown permits the offset portion to extend either to the right or the left of the handle as may be desired.

The means for securing the blade to the offset portion shown'generally at 14 includes a generally cylindrical boss 40 extending away from the handle on the opposite side of the offset member substantially parallel to the axis of the handle. The boss is provided with a passageway 42 which is generally rectangular in shape and has an enlarged rectangular opening 44 as shown in FIG- URES 3, 4, Sand 6.

With particular reference to FIGURE 3, the rectangular passageway 42 with its rectangular enlarged opening 44 receives the shank 46 which may be provided with thread-like portions shown at 48 for being engaged by a cap 50, of the linoleum knife blade 52 which, as shown in FIGURE 1, has a curved cutting edge which extends down to and forms a cutting tip 54. It will be seen that the blade extends away from the handle and substantially parallel to the axis thereto.

The cylindrical boss 40 is provided on the exterior side with a fiat area 56 and includes a pair of threaded apertures 58 and 60 which are adapted to receive screws or bolts 62 and 64. The screw 64 is adapted to secure a blade abutment member 66 to the offset member while screw 62 is adapted to secure blade 68 and a blade securing means 70 to the cylindrical boss 40.

The blade abutment member is provided with an aperture 72 and a counter-sunk aperture 74 for receiving the screw 62 and the screw 64 and is also provided with a pin 76 which extends therethrough and extends outwardly on both sides thereof. The pin 76 is positioned and adapted to receive a notch 78 or a notch 80, as may be selected, in the manner shown best in FIGURES 4 and 8. It is important to note that pin 76 extends from both sides of member 66 and also that aperture is counter-sunk on both sides for right and left hand use.

The blade abutment member also includes a pair of turned corner portions 82 and 84 which extend, respecuvely, away from the sides of the abutment member. As

best shown in FIGURE 7, extension 82 engages the blade tion of the arrows along line 77 of FIGURE 5 showing another portion of the means for mounting the utility blade to the offset portion.

, FIGURE 8 is a side view showing the protective shield covering a modified utility blade.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now particularly to FIGURE 1 which shows the overall construction of the offset blade knife of this invention, the knife includes a handle 10, an offset securing member 70 in the rearward portion thereof such that when the bolt 62 is tightened down the force thereof is exerted on the blade 68 to position it and hold it firmly between the blade abutment member and the blade securing member. The other corner 84 performs the same function when the 'blade is positioned for use by a lefthanded person. i

As best shown in FIGURE 1, and also shown in FIG URES 4 and 8, the blade securing member 70 includes a generally planarpoition 86 which is provided with a longitudinal slot 88 and with lips 90 and 92. As best shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, lips 90 and 92 extend over the upper and lower edges of the blade abutment member 66. This prevents rotational movement of the blade with respect to the blade abutment member and with respect to the offset member. For left handed use a mirror image of member 70 is provided; that is, lips 90 and 92 extend oppositely from the position shown in FIGURE 1.

.In the modified form of the utility blade shown in FIGURE 8, the blade 68a includes a hook 94 at one end through the bolt and through the second grip portion to and a similar hook 96 at the other end.

'As shown in FIGURE 1, when assembled the blades would be in position for use by a righthanded person.

That is, the blades would extend outwardly from the hand of the user and the user would be able to obtain a firm grip on the handle during use. When it is desired to use the knife in the left hand, all that is necessary is that the linoleum knife blade be removed and inverted, that is with the hook 54 extending upwardly. The utility blade is similarly inverted by removing the abutment member 66, inverting it, inverting the blade, and inverting the securing member 70. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 1, the blades would extend upwardly. Of course, when gripped by the left hand, the blades would extend downwardly and would extend outwardly from the hand of the user permitting a firm grip on the handle to permit full control of the cutting of the blades.

- As shown in FIGURE 4, the utility knife may be used alone without the linoleum blade ,in place or, as shown in FIGURE 1, the linoleum knife may be used with the utility blade in place. Thus, only one knife is required to perform the services heretofore performed by two knives.

More importantly, however, is the fact that with this knife results may be accomplished which were not possible heretofore. These new results accrue from the ability of the user to make cuts in spaces at adjacent vertical surfaces and members to permit close fitting of a covering adjacent such surfaces or members. These cuts may be made vertical thus obviating the heretofore undesirable practice of leaving a groove which may collect dust and dirt adjacent each surface.

In addition to these new results, the operation is simpler and easier and results in fewer bruises and abrasions to the hand of the user. This promotes efiiicency in work thus reducing costs and losses due to minor injuries.

It will be apparent, from the foregoing, that a new tool has been disclosed which produces a new result and which produces such result in a simpler, more economical and more efiicient manner.

Furthermore, it will be realized that while the present invention has been abstracted, summarized, and disclosed with reference to specific constructional features and with reference to the specific embodiment, departures from the embodiment disclosed may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the invention be defined only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a linoleum knife of the type which includes a handle and blade holding means secured to the handle for holding a cutting blade, the improvement wherein the blade holding means comprises:

means for holding the blade in an offset position relative to the handle, said blade being held substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and said handle comprises:

a first grip portion;

means on the first grip portion for engaging the blade holding means for preventing relative rotation therebetween;

a second grip portion coaxial with the first grip portion; and

means extending through the first grip portion secured to the first grip portion for rotation therewith for selectively securing the blade holding means to the first grip portion. 2. In a linoleum knife of the type which includes a handle and blade holding means secured to the handle for holding a cutting blade, the improvement Wherein the blade holding means comprises:

means for holding the blade in an offset position relative to the handle, said blade being held substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, said blade holding means including an offset portion;

means securing one end of the offset portion to the end of the handle;

a boss on the other end of the offset portion extending from the offset portion in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the handle, said boss having an aperture therein for receiving and holding a first blade in position generally parallel to the axis of the handle.

3. The knife of claim 2 wherein the blade holding means further comprises:

a substantially flat surface formed on one side of the boss;

a blade abutment member secured to said first surface;

a blade securing member; and

means for securing the blade securing member and a second blade to the abutment member, said second blade being secured in substantially parallel relation wvith respect to the first blade.

4. The knife of claim 3 wherein the blade securing member comprises:

a longitudinal member adapted to reciprocably move from a first position in which the second blade is exposed for use to a second position in which the second blade is covered and protected by said blade securing member.

5. The knife of claim 4 wherein the blade abutment member comprises:

a pair of oppositely extending portions disposed respectively at the top and bottom thereof for respective engagement with the blade securing means when the blade holding means is disposed in a first direction relative to the handle and when said blade holding means is disposed in a second direction relative to the handle for righthand and lefthand use respectively of said planar blade relative to the abutment member, said blade securing member being provided with a longitudinal slot;

a fastener extending through said slot and through said abutment member for securing the blade securing member and a blade against the abutment member; and

a pin extending through the abutment member adapted to engage a notch in a blade on either side of the abutment member;

and wherein the handle includes;

first and second coaxial grip members;

an elongate bolt secured to the second grip member and rotatably received through the first grip member, said bolt having a threaded end;

said offset portion comprising a fiat elongate member having a threaded bore for receiving the threaded end of said bolt and at least one aperture in said flat elongate member adjacent said threaded bore; and

at least one pin mounted in the end of the first grip member for engaging in the aperture in the fiat elongate member for preventing relative rotational movement between the first grip member and the flat elongate member;

whereby said elongate flat member may selectively be secured to the handle and the blades may be secured to the blade holding means for utilization either in a righthanded fashion or in a lefthand fashion.

6. In a linoleum knife of the type which includes a handle and blade holding means secured to the handle for holding a cutting blade, the improvement wherein the blade holding means comprises:

means for holding the blade in an offset position relative to the handle, said blade being held substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, said blade holding means including a generally elongate member having a threaded aperture and at least one other aperture in the sides of one end portion thereof;

a generally round boss extending from one side and the other end portion of the elongate member, said boss having a fiat distal side and a passageway there- 7 8 through, said passageway being generally rectangular References Cited in shape and being disposed substantially perpendic- UNITED STATES PATENTS ularly with respect to the axis of the elongate mem- 17 128 M18 Kilmer et a1 30 315 ber;

a blade abutment member secured to the flat said of the 5 r boss, said blade abutment member being generally 752808 2/1904 Stewart 30 309 X planar in configuration and having a portion of one 863:534 8/1907 Hibbler edge extending from the plane 0f the member in one 939 846 11 1909 Matthews 30 304 direction and a portion of the opposite edge extend- 9 2 74 1 1 11 Hibblel- 3 X ing from the plane of the member in the other di- 10 1 294 09 2 1919 Boone 3 317 X re i Il; n 1,336,376 4/1920 Philips 30-304 a generally planar blade securing member adapted to 2,109,686 3/1938 Breidenbach 30312 X secure a substantially planner blade to the blade 2,743,523 5/1956 Honey 30 -286 abutment member said securing member having up- 15 per and lower hps for engaging over the edges of MYRON C'KRUSEPrlmary Exammer the blade abutment member for preventing rotational US. Cl. X.R. movement. 30-312, 320 

